Closer To Heaven
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3 March 2025 | Dear Aunt Sevvy, Recently I heard of an Adventist group that was putting together a whole seminar on how to live off the grid and be self-sustaining for the Time of Trouble. I’m wondering: should we prepare for the end of time? Is it necessary to live “off the grid”? Or […] Source: https://atoday.org/should-i-and-my-family-go-off-the-grid-to-prepare-for-the-time-of-trouble/
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 4th of March 2025
In the book of Job, we are given some fascinating insights into the reality of the great controversy.
Many significant details can be gleaned from these verses. First, there appears to be some kind of heavenly council scene, not merely a dialogue between God and Satan; other celestial beings are involved.
Image © Bible Adventure Collection at Goodsalt.com
Second, there is some existing dispute, signaled by the fact that God asks whether Satan has considered Job. Considered Job for what? The question makes sense in the context of a larger, ongoing dispute.
Third, while God declares Job blameless, upright, and God-fearing, Satan claims that Job appears to fear God only because God protects him. This amounts to slander against both Job’s character and God’s (compare with Revelation 12:10, Zechariah 3:1-10).
Fourth, Satan alleges that God’s protection of Job (the hedge) is unfair and makes it impossible for Satan to prove his allegations. This indicates some existing limits on Satan (rules of engagement), and that Satan has apparently tried to harm Job.
God responds to Satan’s accusation before the heavenly council by allowing Satan to put his theory to the test, but only within limits. He first grants Satan power over “all that he has,” but prohibits personal harm to Job (Job 1:12, NKJV). Later, after Satan claims that Job cares only about himself, God allows Satan to afflict Job personally, but Satan must spare his life (Job 2:3-6).
Satan brings numerous calamities against Job’s household, yet in each case Job continues to bless His name (Job 1:20-22; Job 2:9-10), falsifying Satan’s charges.
We learn many things here, such as that there are rules of engagement in the cosmic conflict. There are parameters in the heavenly court within which the allegations raised against God can be settled, but without God violating the sacred principles inherent in love, the foundation of God’s government and how He rules the universe and the intelligent beings in it.
These heavenly scenes in the book of Job offer us fascinating insights into the reality of the great controversy, and how it is played out here on earth.
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Desde el lunes 20 de enero de 2025, en Estados Unidos se vive lo que se ha llamado por intelectuales del Derecho: “una Monarquía Constitucional”. Desde la presidencia se han emitido 22 órdenes ejecutivas, cientos de memorandos presidenciales y acciones ejecutivas relacionadas con el presupuesto, la inmigración, el cambio climático y la diversidad. La avalancha […] Source: https://atoday.org/jesus-liberal/
Comments of the Week Feb 24–Mar 2 “Well done. This line spoke volumes to me: ‘When women are silenced, a part of God is silenced, and the church cannot fully encounter him.’ If I want people to see and experience God, I must give voice to women.” –Dennis Austin on How a Sexist Church Hurts […] Source: https://atoday.org/comments-of-the-week-feb24-mar2/
Daily Lesson for Monday 3rd of March 2025
The overarching perspective of celestial rulers in the cosmic conflict is encapsulated in the book of Revelation, where the devil is depicted as “the great dragon” who opposes God and “deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9, NKJV).
The dragon (Satan) not only wars against God (Revelation 12:7-9) and His servants (for example, Revelation 12:1-6), but he is depicted as the ruler behind the earthly kingdoms who persecute God’s people throughout the ages.
Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com
The dragon “gave . . . his power, his throne, and great authority” to the beast from the sea (Revelation 13:2, NKJV; compare with Revelation 13:5; Revelation 17:13-14). This beast from the sea is “given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months” (Revelation 13:5, NKJV).
So, Satan (the dragon) gives power and ruling authority to a beast (an earthly religious-political power). This power is exercised in order to usurp the worship due to God. The beast blasphemes God’s name; it also wars against, and even overcomes, God’s holy ones (saints), at least for a period of time. This worldwide authority and jurisdiction is given to him by the dragon, the usurping ruler of this world.
Yet, there are clear limits on Satan and his agencies, as well, including temporal limits. “ ‘Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time’ ” (Revelation 12:12, NKJV).
Satan “knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12, ESV), and the events described in Revelation proceed along prophetic time lines, which show specific limits (see Revelation 12:14, Revelation 13:5) to the reign of these evil forces.
Indeed, God finally triumphs. “ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’ ” (Revelation 21:4, NKJV).
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However hard for us to see it now, in the end good will eternally triumph over evil. Why is it so important that we never forget this wonderful promise? |
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25a-10-the-dragon-of-revelation/
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